Prestige plans 9 jets by 2009

The first and only fully privately-owned aviation company of Abu Dhabi, Prestige Jet, has unveiled a five-year plan with the official inauguration of its services at Bateen Air Base in the capital.

Ghaith Hamil Al Ghaith, Chairman of Al Yas Group, which owns Prestige Jet, said the company already owns four of its current fleet of six jets and sees a big stake in the country’s charter air market, which now stands at $176 million (about Dh646m). Two of the aircraft have been acquired on lease and are managed and operated by the company.

“Two more jets are in the pipeline. We aim to grow our fleet and operate nine aircraft by 2009,” he said on the sideline of the launch, which was attended by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the UAE Armed Forces (pictured above). He and other guests looked at the five aircraft parked at the civil aviation terminal from the inside.

Al Ghaith said the aviation company will provide services to both high net worth individuals and corporate houses. The services will be available round the clock throughout the week with three- to four-hour booking in advance.

Following the inauguration, Al Ghaith, who is also Vice-Chairman of Al Ghaith Holding, outlined the company’s five-year business plan, which, he added, includes a commitment to providing unrivalled levels of service and an ambitious fleet expansion programme.

“We are investing heavily in upgrading the interiors of a number of our aircraft in luxurious style, such as the challenger 604 Versace style, which will set them apart from our competitors. We also aim to grow our fleet and operate nine aircraft by 2009,” he added.